The event began with the introduction of globalization presented by Mr. Idin Fasisaka, IR lecture. Mr. Idin explained that world become borderless or sometime called follow liquidity concept. Three concepts of globalization that emphasized are transnationality, globality and gaseousness.

Globalization occurs mostly in all aspects of life, including economic sector, especially trade. The hot debate is when the practice of free trade raises inequality between rich countries and poor countries. The concern of the economic inequality, emerging fair trade movement, that prioritizes dialogue, tranparency and mutual respect between consumers and producers, and giving priority to the rights of producers in developing countries.

The presentation was continued by explain about fair trade; the definition, principles, and practices at the local until global level, which was presented by Mr. Agung Alit, the Secretary General of FFTI.
Fair Trade should be understood in two aspects, as a movement and as a business model. In realization, combining both (social and business) is not easy and is a challenge for the fair trader. But the commitment to remove the ‘unfairness’ in the trade to be the main motivation and uniting fair traders around the world through an umbrella organization called World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).

Theoritical explanation from Mr. Idin and practical exposure from Mr. Agung as a fair trade practitioner were able to build the curiosity of the IR students. Many critical questions arised, such as: “how to make fair trade to be a trend that could fight against the capitalist”; “how to maximize the local fair trade products to fight franchise”; “which one of fair trade principles is the most difficult to apply”; “why fair trade products are relatively more expensive “;” how to enter the fair trade efforts in to government policy “;” does fair trade has an impact on China Asean free trade area “; and many more critical questions from the students.

One of lesson learn to the students submitted by Mr. Idin after 2 hours discussion was : “students need to grow a culture of fairness; have a brave to go out from the comfort zone in order to criticize the unfairness that occurs”.

We are in FFTI, was surprised and happy because the students were excited and enjoyed the discussion. The questions that appear we use for a reflection and be an input for us to further disseminate fair trade among a wider audience. Hopefully the cooperation with the academics stakeholder can be continue, so fair trade can be better known among students, faculty, and other university stakeholders, because Fair Trade can be applied in all sectors, including education.

FFTI held an another routine event ‘A Fair Trade Lunch’ at FFTI Office, Friday, February 10, 2012. This event were organized together with WALHI Bali (Friends of the Earth Indonesia). At this time we took a discussion format by presenting two speakers, namely: Hendro Sangkoyo (School of Democratic Economy) and Larry Lohmann (The Corner House, UK), with the theme “Water and Nature Around Us”.

The discussion was attended by approximately 40 people from among the student, activist, journalist, and environmentalists. Topics raised was about the water crisis that deals with social and ecological crises.

The theme of discussion was relevant to the one of the principles of fair trade “Friendly to the Environment”, which is implemented in the product’s production process. The audience can be seen the products directly in fair trade outlets.

In the future, we are expecting Fair Trade Outlet can be well developed and can be used to disseminate the idea of fair trade and sell more organic and fair trade products, especially those from NGOs from all over Indonesia.

On January 21st, 2012 Forum Fair Trade Indonesia (FFTI) proudly presented an event called A Fair Trade Lunch With Teachers of Denpasar. Actually A Fair Trade Lunch is the routine event of FFTI. Held in FFTI’s Secretariat in Sanur-Denpasar, Bali, the purpose is to introduce the fair trade movement to the public, at that time to the teachers.

About twenty teachers who attended gave positive responses to fair trade. They shared their daily experiences related to trade. The main focus was unhealthy products especially those sold in the school’s canteen and consumed by the children. It’s very dangerous if people sell food just for profit without considering health. It was also interesting when one of the teacher asked about children working to sell the food after school to help their family. Is this child labour? How can fair trade address this issue? On the other side, the teacher also stressed the government’s policy of 100% Loving Local Products. In what area can fair trade take a part?

Agung Alit, Secretary General of FFTI, explained fair trade both as a movement and business side. He also stressed the implementation of 10 Fair Trade principles in business practice. How fair trade provides good payment to producers, what the indicator used to detect child labour, and of course how fair trade products maximize using the local material. Agung also gave the case study of fair trade implementation in Mitra Bali, one of the fair trade organizations in Bali, such as the plantation program, water project, and cooperative, all working with the local community.

The teachers were so excited by the explanation. They asked how to implement fair trade at school, maybe put fair trade values in their school curriculum. For sure it will take time, but it is a good input for FFTI to develop tools for a fair trade campaign in schools.

FFTI booths will display fair trade products from FFTI members, including organic food (rice, beans, sugar, coffee, honey, vegetables, etc.) which will be integrated with the interior of Fair Trade crafts from all over Indonesia.

Please visit the Forum Fair Trade Indonesia stand in tent K-10, starting at 09:00 am to 08:00 pm.

For further information onIndonesia Horticulture Festival 2011 and Sanur Village Festival, please visit

http://www.balihorticulturefestival.com/sambutan.html
http://www.gotosanur.com/Sanfest-Nov2011.shtml
Looking forward for your visit.

Thank you.

In May, hundreds of fair trade producers around the world celebrated World Fair Trade Day. The theme for this year’s celebration was Trade For People—Fair Trade Your World! On May 29, FFTI celebrated World Fair Trade Day with a day-long event at Taman Pintar in Yogyakarta.

The day began with a bicycle parade, featuring old-fashioned onthel bicycles and people wearing traditional Javanese costumes. The 300 participants included members of several Yogyakarta bicycle clubs. After the ride, visitors enjoyed door prizes, a performance by a group of kindergarten students, several musical acts, and a press conference. Later, young visitors participated in a contest, competing to assemble wooden puzzles as fast as possible (the puzzles are products made by FFTI member Apikri!).

The bazaar, which continued throughout the day, brought together fair trade and organic producers from Lombok, Bali, Sulawesi, and all over Java. The producers showcased a wide range of products—everything from organic snacks and honey to crafts made of wood, ceramic, and recycled materials.

The goal of the day’s celebrations was to introduce fair trade products and principles to the local community and increase interest in the fair trade movement in Yogyakarta. Each year, World Fair Trade Day celebrations rotate through the different locations of FFTI members, so that each member has the opportunity to host the festivities. Yogyakarta was an ideal location for this year’s celebration, because the city’s growing fair trade movement hopes to make Yogyakarta a Fair Trade Town in the future. FFTI is happy to have shared this day of celebrating Fair Trade with the Yogyakarta community!

Until we meet again at World Fair Trade Day 2012!